Allowing less development near wildlands could be a more effective way to reduce the cost of fighting wildfires, according to Bozeman economists. Bozeman-based Headwaters Economics released a report last week analyzing how the cost of fighting wildfires could skyrocket if development continues in the wildland-urban interface of the West.
Using 2010 census data, economists found that 84 percent of property in the wildland-urban interface in 11 western states is still undeveloped. Limiting the analysis to Montana, that increases to more than 90 percent or more than 2,600 square miles. The economists are concerned that if that land is developed, costs and risk to firefighters will increase.…